Obama: Morehouse Commencement Address (Video)

Yesterday, Obama delivered a commencement address at Morehouse College, a "historically black college."

He used his address to hammer the point that he's a black man.

Obama spoke of "Jim Crow laws and racism of the 40s and 50s."

I suppose he's more comfortable looking back then dealing with the mess he's made in the present.

He likes to hold himself up as the ultimate role model for young black men.

"But along with collective responsibilities, we have individual responsibilities. There are some things, as black men, we can only do for ourselves. There are some things, as Morehouse Men, that you are obliged to do for those still left behind. As Morehouse Men, you now wield something even more powerful than the diploma you’re about to collect -- and that’s the power of your example."

...

"We know that too many young men in our community continue to make bad choices. And I have to say, growing up, I made quite a few myself. Sometimes I wrote off my own failings as just another example of the world trying to keep a black man down. I had a tendency sometimes to make excuses for me not doing the right thing. But one of the things that all of you have learned over the last four years is there’s no longer any room for excuses."

...

"And I will tell you, Class of 2013, whatever success I have achieved, whatever positions of leadership I have held have depended less on Ivy League degrees or SAT scores or GPAs, and have instead been due to that sense of connection and empathy -- the special obligation I felt, as a black man like you, to help those who need it most, people who didn’t have the opportunities that I had -- because there but for the grace of God, go I -- I might have been in their shoes. I might have been in prison. I might have been unemployed. I might not have been able to support a family. And that motivates me."

Obama - black man.

It's sad that it's 2013 and he keeps talking about his race. That's a choice Obama has made. It's unfortunate. He could focus on the content of his character but he prefers to emphasize the color of his skin.

Since he's made the choice to go that way, let's talk about his race.

It bothers me that Obama doesn't care to identify with the racial heritage he received from his mother.

In his address, Obama said, "I was raised by a heroic single mom, wonderful grandparents -- made incredible sacrifices for me."

Very nice.

Why didn't Obama say, "I was raised by a heroic single WHITE mom, wonderful WHITE grandparents -- made incredible sacrifices for me"?

If Obama is going to focus on his race, he should define himself truthfully. He's a black man and a white man.

I wish Obama would put race aside and be a decent role model. The fact is he doesn't want to put race aside and he's an awful role model.

I don't think anyone who lies repeatedly and then lies about lying is a good role model.

Obama refuses to take responsibility for his actions and inactions. He blames others for his failings.

Race is irrelevant.

The Benghazi cover-up, the IRS scandal, and the AP scandal have nothing to do with "the world trying to keep a black man down."

Obama needs to rid himself of that mindset and quit making excuses.



Here's the White House transcript of his remarks.

Here's the complete video of Obama's Morehouse commencement address:

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3